WASHINGTON — King Charles III will address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress on April 28 as part of a state visit scheduled from April 27 to April 30, congressional leaders announced. The four-day trip will mark Charles's first state visit to the United States as king.

The invitation was issued in a joint letter signed by the four top congressional leaders: House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. In the letter, the leaders wrote that the event will celebrate the shared heritage and enduring friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom.

"As we celebrate this historic milestone and recommit ourselves to the principles upon which our nation was founded, we also recognize that the American experiment endures in no small part because of the British tradition from which it sprang," the leaders wrote in the letter. They also wrote: "We believe an Address to Congress will provide a unique opportunity to share your vision for the future of our special relationship and reaffirm our alliance at this pivotal time in history."

The planned address comes as Washington marks the 250th anniversary of American independence. In their invitation, the congressional leaders cited Queen Elizabeth II's 1991 address to a joint meeting of Congress as a precedent. That 1991 appearance by Queen Elizabeth was the last time a member of the British royal family addressed U.S. lawmakers.

A joint meeting of Congress differs from a joint session in procedural terms. Joint meetings are typically used to receive addresses from foreign heads of state and other dignitaries, while joint sessions are convened for constitutionally mandated events such as the State of the Union address. The April 28 address will follow that precedent, as Queen Elizabeth II's 1991 appearance was also conducted as a joint meeting rather than a joint session.